Vinod Khanna -- veteran Bollywood actor, politician and former union minister -- was hospitalised over a month ago for cancer but the family then remained tight-lipped about his condition.
A large number of Bollywood personalities attended the last rites of veteran actor-turned-BJP politician Vinod Khanna at the Worli Hindu Crematorium here on Thursday evening.
His son, Sakshi lit the funeral pyre a short while after his flower-bedecked body was brought from their Malabar Hill residence where it was kept for people to pay homage.
Mumbai: Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan at #VinodKhanna 's funeral pic.twitter.com/4uZGRwiZ68
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 27, 2017
Khanna, 70, passed away after battling bladder cancer around 11.30 am today plunging the country's entertainment industry into grief.
A large number of teary-eyed actors, producers, directors and a few actresses, his colleagues in the Bharatiya Janata Party, fans and admirers also turned up to pay their final respects both at his home and the crematorium.
Among the prominent ones seen at the funeral rites were Amitabh Bachchan, his son Abhishek, Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and son Ranvir Kapoor, Kabir Bedi, Danny Denzongpa, Arjun Rampal, Jackie Shroff, Jeetendra, Dia Mirza, Puneet Issar, writer-poet Gulzar, directors Ramesh Sippy, Ramesh Taurani, Subhash Ghai, NCP leader Praful Patel, and BJP MP Kirit Somaiya among many more.
A large number of fans and admirers of the late actor waited on both sides of the streets to catch a last glimpse of their favourite actor as the funeral procession wended its way from Malabar Hill to the crematorium.
As a mark of respect to our beloved Vinod Khanna the entire team of Baahubali has decided to cancel the premiere tonight...
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) April 27, 2017
Khanna, a former union minister, passed away this morning at the Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital where he was under treatment since nearly a month.
INDUSTRY HAS LOST A LEGEND: CELEBRITIES MOURN VINOD KHANNA'S DEATH
A string of celebrities like Rajinikanth, Asha Bhosle, Rishi Kapoor, Anupam Kher and Shatrughan Sinha have paid tributes to veteran movie actor-politician Vinod Khanna, who died here on Thursday due to prolonged illness.
He was hospitalised since over a month for suspected cancer. He 70 and is survived by his wife, three sons and a daughter.
Khanna was admitted to Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital in the first week on April after reportedly suffering from severe dehydration.
His screen presence is unparalleled even today...his super star swag is what we grew up on....RIP #VinodKhanna ...thoughts and prayers....
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) April 27, 2017
Sad to learn about the passing away of #VinodKhanna Sir,one of the most charismatic actors...truly end of an era.Condolences to the family🙏🏻
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) April 27, 2017
The actor was the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member of the Lok Sabha from Punjab's Gurdaspur constituency in Punjab.
Here's what B-Town celebrities said:
Rajinikanth: My dear friend Vinod Khanna...Will miss you, RIP. My heartfelt condolences to the family
Asha Bhosle: Very sad to hear about Vinod Khannaji. A decent man and a star till the very end. My condolences to his family.
Rishi Kapoor: Will miss you Amar ( his charcter name from the film 'Amar Akbar Anthony'). RIP...Remembering the good times with you, Vinod. Thank you for being my friend.
Mumbai: Subhash Ghai,Dia Mirza,Randhir Kapoor and Praful Patel at #VinodKhanna 's funeral pic.twitter.com/5z8wZysK41
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 27, 2017
Anupam Kher: Vinod Khanna ji had a magnetic charm and persona. Both on and off screen. He was kind, affectionate and helpful. Loved his panther like walk.
Karan Johar: His screen presence is unparalleled even today...his super star swag is what we grew up on....RIP Vinod Khanna...thoughts and prayers.
Shatrughan Sinha: Vinod Khanna, truly "Mere Apne", one of my most admired and loved personalities, the supremely handsome and talented superstar is no more. Right from films to politics, Vinod Khanna and I sailed together and he leaves behind an entire generation & more of fans, admirers..
Akshay Kumar: Sad to learn about the passing away of Vinod Khanna Sir, one of the most charismatic actors...truly end of an era. Condolences to the family
Amjad Ali Khan: Deeply saddened to know about the passing away of Vinod Khanna one of the most charismatic actors of our times. Condolences to the family.
Varun Dhawan: Vinod Khanna will always remain the coolest and most good looking actor to grace the Indian screens.The industry has lost a legend today.
Mumbai: Actors Rishi Kapoor and Ranjit at #VinodKhanna 's funeral pic.twitter.com/e6bQW2KqsA
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 27, 2017
Manoj Bajpayee: Your charisma and charm will always be unmatchable...will miss your flamboyant walk...Rest in peace sir. Vinod Khanna.
Abhishek Kapoor: Rest in peace Vinod Khanna and thank you for the great memories.
Shraddha Kapoor: One of the most loved, handsome and wonderful actors. Big loss. We have lost a legend today. Will always be a fan. RIP Vinod Khanna.
Hansal Mehta: 'Ruk Jaana nahi kahin tu haarke...Kaante pe chalke milengay saaye bahaar ke....oh rahi oh rahi'... RIP Vinod Khanna.
Huma Qureshi: RIP. Vinod Khanna.
Anubhav Sinha: Much before we knew the word Swag, he had it. Go Well Sir. Enjoy your new Journey. We will miss you. Vinod Khanna
Manisha Koirala: Unbelievable loss! Heartfelt condolences to the family on the passing away of one of the most charismatic actors Vinod Khanna ji.
Abhishek Kapoor: Rest in peace Vinod Khanna and thank you for the great memories.
Ehsaan Noorani: Saddened to hear about the passing of Vinod Khanna one of my favourite actors and a family friend...immortalised forever in memory.
Sajid Khan: R.I.P. Vinodji...Thanks for your contribution to mainstream cinema...thanks for all the memories of cinema magic. Vinod Khanna amar hai.
Goldie Behl: RIP...Vinod Khanna legend one of my favourite and the best walk on screen.
Richa Chadha: RIP Vinod Khanna sir. You were the fantasy of most women in the northern India through the 1980s. You shall be missed by one and all.
Sujoy Ghosh: My dad made me see a film called 'Patthar Aur Payal'...I came out becoming a fan of the villain. Thank you Vinod Khanna for the films.
Esha Deol: Extremely saddened by the news of my darling uncle Vinod Khanna passing away. Our condolences to his family! May his soul RIP.
Armaan Malik: Rest in peace Vinod Khanna. You were Amar, you are Amar will always remain Amar for all of us in our hearts.
Raghu Ram: R.I.P Vinod Khanna sir! What an adventurous life lived! Wish strength to his family.
Sophie Choudry: Deepest condolences to the family.. His incredible movies and film songs will forever be etched in our hearts...Matinee idol RIP Vinod Khanna.
Sikandar Kher: The loss of a legend...May you make all the women swoon up there amongst the stars.. strength to the family. Vinod Khanna.
